Considered one of the most important researchers into problems of coexistence at school and the radicalization of youth, Telma Vinha, professor at the Faculty of Education (FE) and researcher at the Institute of Advanced Studies (IdEA) at Unicamp, reveals that most of the messages conveyed by Social networks that deal with alleged attacks in schools have characteristics of an organized movement to cause panic. These events, according to what has been reported, would occur especially between April 12 and 20, the latter being the day of the Columbine massacre and Hitler's birthday.
The teacher has been studying extreme violence in schools since the episode in Suzano (SP), in 2019, when seven people were killed. According to her, many of the messages threatening attacks on schools that have appeared on social media in recent weeks, and have worried authorities, directors of educational institutions, parents and students, present a different pattern to that seen among teenagers who interact with extremist communities.
According to the researcher, the expressions used in the threats and the motivations in the publications differ from those used by young people who commit attacks. “Everything indicates that this is an intentional coordinated action to generate chaos, but we are not sure yet, because it is being investigated”, says the professor. “A lot of fake news was found in the messages analyzed and it is not always possible to separate the fake from the real.”
This does not mean, according to her, that the danger does not exist. “At no time can we say that an attack will not happen. There is no guarantee, not even in institutions that are true bunkers – so much so that the United States, the country with the largest school security industry and the highest rate of weapons in circulation, is the place with the highest number of school shootings. However, caution is needed and not to panic”, explains the teacher.
According to the expert, the attempts and attacks actually carried out by students after what happened in schools in São Paulo and Blumenau also draw attention. “The attacks present a different dynamic to that identified in attacks in the last ten years, whose characteristics were negative experiences in schools, interaction of these young people with online forums, racism and misogyny. Everything indicates that these new attacks are due to the so-called 'contagion effect', combined with other factors, including resentment, anger, prejudice, impulsivity and mental disorders. In general terms, the 'contagion effect' ends up inspiring new attacks”, says the professor.
In the expert's assessment, prevention and coping with this new context involve the coordination of the various segments of society. Vinha is the author of numerous studies that point out the ineffectiveness of security measures such as monitoring and the presence of police, despite the false sense of security that these actions may convey in the short term.
The teacher suggests, given this situation, that directors of educational institutions discuss all dimensions of the phenomenon, planning a more cohesive and targeted action. “Next, managers need to bring together teachers and staff so that, together, they can plan welcoming actions and common conduct to prevent the spread of incorrect or even false information.”
The specialist believes that the most appropriate option would be for the school to make an institutional statement to the family, in writing, video or audio, which also addresses government measures to deal with the situation. “Not to promise, but to say, 'We are aware, we are taking care of this and taking preventive measures,'” she suggests.
Vinha reiterates the importance of listening, dialogue and connection between teachers and teenagers. “In this context, it is essential to know what is happening and how young people feel.” The teacher also makes some recommendations to the students. The first, she says, is that they should avoid making joking threats, “especially in a time of crisis like the one we are experiencing”. In the expert's opinion, students need to know not to share information of this type. In addition to this guidance, she must report this type of material to official bodies. The school also needs to provide guidance on what needs to be reported.
Finally, in the teacher's opinion, the institution must make it clear to the student that self-defense is not the way forward. “Many are taking knives to school, in a supposed defense movement. In other words, we cannot accept weapons at school, because that would be [using] violence against violence.”
For Telma Vinha, the country needs to define a gun control guideline, with appropriate protocols, as well as adopt a national policy of democratic coexistence in schools. “Educational institutions are collective spaces, and this collective must come together, listen, dialogue, care for each other, even more so in times of acute crises.”
at Unicamp
The coordinator of the Campus Experience Secretariat (SVC) at Unicamp, professor Susana Durão, says that there is no record of threats directed at the University – which, in addition to offering higher education, maintains the Colégio Técnico de Campinas (Cotuca), the Colégio Técnico of Limeira (Cotil) and early childhood education units for civil servants’ children. Together, these units total around 3.700 students.
According to her, security patrols were reinforced on all University campuses, especially on Cotuca, located in the center of Campinas. Contacts were also made with the Municipal Guard (GM) and the Military Police (PM), to intensify patrols in the vicinity of the campuses, and with the Security Council of Barão de Geraldo (Conseg).
Susana Durão also recommended that people download the app Panic Button – which provides the Unicamp community with the possibility of recording occurrences within the coverage area of Unicamp's main campus, Student Housing and Lume Teatro, all located in Barão Geraldo, and CPQBA (Multidisciplinary Center for Chemical, Biological and Agricultural Research ), in Paulínia. When activated in emergency situations, the application sends the GPS coordinates (latitude and longitude) recorded by the cell phone to the Unicamp Security Center.
Schools
“We are not dealing with a threat directed at our institution, but we are not closing our eyes”, says professor Cristiane Megid, head of the Executive Director of Pre-University Education (DEEPU), the body responsible for technical colleges and the Early Childhood Education Division and Complementary (Dedic). “We are in an absolute state of attention”, adds the director.
The teacher says that she has been dealing with rumors about attacks at schools since last Monday (10) and, since then, she has been exchanging information with school directors and Dedic coordination. “We are on alert for any information that may arrive”, says the director.
“We are also welcoming families and students who may want to report an event or message they have received or encountered. And talking based on each person’s expression,” she says.
The director says that, in addition to reinforcing patrols in technical schools and the early childhood education center, the University has been working towards prevention.
“We will promote SVC lectures, together with professor Telma Vinha. The first will take place next Friday, starting at 10am, at Cotuca. The idea is to work on training our students against radicalization. Work on programs such as the Mediation Chamber. Furthermore, we will implement, with the professor at the Institute of Philosophy and Human Sciences (IFCH) Andreia Freitas, the expansion of the political training program for young people, which has already been applied in Cotuca. The idea is to also take it to Cotil and Dedic”, she reveals.
“We had been working on this program long before the attack in Blumenau, but the initiative is much more necessary now, to combat radicalization among students”, says the teacher.
Lime
Preventive measures were also adopted in Limeira, the municipality that houses the Faculty of Applied Sciences (FCA), the Faculty of Technology (FT) and Cotil. “We are aware and vigilant regarding the national scenario of rumors and supposed threats to school units. We understand that this news can be worrying and we want to ensure that, despite not having received any direct threats, we are taking the necessary measures to guarantee everyone's safety and peace of mind”, informed professor Alcides José Scaglia, coordinator of the Regional Administration Secretariat ( SAR) from Unicamp.
Scaglia asks “for everyone’s collaboration to avoid the spread of rumors, inaccurate or completely false information, which can lead to the spread of fear, anxiety and confusion. In delicate moments, it is necessary to remain calm and confident, sharing only verified and reliable information.”
Dean of Undergraduate Studies promotes cycle of conversations
The Dean of Undergraduate Studies (PRG), the Faculty of Education (FE), the Permanent Commission for Teacher Training (CPFP) and other units that offer undergraduate courses are organizing the cycle of conversations "Violence at school, no! ".
PRG intends, in view of the violent attacks that occurred in schools last year, to raise the issue to be discussed among teachers and students of Degree and Pedagogy courses, in order to find ways of prevention.
In the conversations, various aspects of the problem will be addressed, such as social networks, violence support groups, legislation, institutional support and others.
The event is free, with entry on a first-come, first-served basis until the space is full and with a certificate issued.
The idea is that the conversations are recorded and made available later on the PRG page.
Service:
Conversation cycle "No violence at school!"
Target Audience: undergraduate and Pedagogy students
18/04 (Tuesday), at 18pm
Topic: “Is the school prepared to prevent attacks?”
Guest: Carolina Defilippi (Unità Faculdade)
Location: Lobby of the Institute of Mathematics, Statistics and Scientific Computing
19/04 (Wednesday), at 19pm
Theme: “Violence and militarization of education”
Guest: Frederico de Almeida (Political Science / IFCH Unicamp)
Location: Institute of Philosophy and Human Sciences (Marielle Franco Auditorium)
25/04 (Tuesday), at 19pm
Theme: “Violent attacks on schools in Brazil: a phenomenon to be faced”
Guest: Telma Vinha (Unicamp Faculty of Education)
Location: Main Hall of the Faculty of Education
Other topics will be published on Instagram (@graduacao.unicamp) and on PRG page.
Watch:
'Directo na Fonte' with Telma Vinha.
Read more:
A dive into the neo-Nazi universe
